Bunn’s Prairie

Thank you, Susan, for reminding me to report in on the lymph node pathology reports. I think I had already put that on the back burner to simmer! (It’s in the pot next to my cervix, which has been simmering nicely for several months now.)

As I’d wanted to write, my pathology reports have come back cancer-free. Yea! Once again, I’m happy to see the big C in my world stand for COOKIES!! They sliced and diced the lymph node some more and are testing it for other infections at this time. So far, it seems likely that this is my original mycobacteria, Avium, that has invaded my lymph nodes. I’m not exactly sure what they will do to further treat this, but it is strangely comforting to be dealing with a more “known entity”.

If I remember right, that Bats part of that title was simply in reference to the bats in my belfry. I’m starting to think the old belfry is getting a little full! Then again, I just may be a little “batty”!

In light of my run-in with the elusive world of “cyber-space” the other night, I am hoping to leave a message that will give more of you an explanation as to what occurred last Tuesday afternoon. As of now, my head and most specifically the area that feels like it’s “in back of my eyes” is continuing to thud quite persistently. Thus said, I guess this is also my frank (and probably somewhat feeble) disclaimer for the horrific literary blunders that may leap from my fingertips tonight.

Here goes my best shot (though “written with clarity” may very well be an oxymoroic statement in my world):

At the end of the day, and after consulting many different medical professionals, it seems probable that I have suffered from a complex (or “atypical”) migraine.

According to webmd.org, the following symptoms are in-line with the wide number of neurological and migraine related disorders that require evaluation and treatment by a specialist in this field:

“Migraines and Headaches: When to Call the Doctor”

* A sudden, new severe headache
* A headache that is associated with neurological (nerve) symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, sudden loss of balance or falling, numbness or tingling, paralysis, speech difficulties, mental confusion, seizures, personality changes/inappropriate behavior or vision changes (blurry vision, double vision or blind spots)
* Headache with a fever, shortness of breath, stiff neck or rash
* Headache pain that awakens you at night
* Headaches with severe nausea and vomiting
* Headaches that occur after a head injury or accident
* Getting a new type of headache after age 55

Other than being over 55, this seems to be a pretty sound reflection of my symptoms.

It almost makes me feel like I might not be crazy after all? Gee whiz!

I am betting that my primary care Doctor will probably review the past week and either consult a neurologist, or possibly send me to someone considered a “headache specialist”. I have noticed before that there are whole clinics devoted to the study and treatment of headaches.

The previous page of information that I read on the WebMd site also mentioned that, in several of the more rare categories, various symptoms from a migraine episode may last from a few hours to several weeks (or even months?). Likewise, symptoms may occur with some frequency (a few times a week or month), or remain absent for several years. (My last severe attack like this occurred almost four years ago.) It seems that it can take the right combination of physical trauma, psychological stressors, and an individual’s heredity and natural propensity towards a migraine disorder for an acute episode to be triggered.

WELL…

ENOUGH for now. Does body cause brain? Or does brain cause body? It doesn’t appear from what I’ve read or heard that anyone knows for sure. Seems to me that it parallels the old “chicken and the egg” discussion. Which came first? I, for one, don’t think I’m going to put all of my eggs in one basket OR count my chickens before they hatch.

I don’t seem to be making a lick of sense anymore. Think I might as well pack up the whole kit-and-caboodle and throw ‘er in bed. Hee!

It is a wonderful realization that the title of my most beloved hymn is also the best description for my feeling right now. Most of today has been comprised of rest, recovery, and humble appreciation for the grace I have received.

My brain and body seem to be cooperating now. Maybe someday they will discover how to cohabitate. I can only hope!

Part Two: I spent at least two and a half hours composing what I had hoped would be the “story unfolds” chapter of our adventurous tale. It was good. Gosh darn good.

It has “automagically” disappeared into cyber-heaven, due to some wrong key I must have pushed.

Wow. I’m now left speechless.

I will try again tomorrow. Probably with a helpful link to information from Web MD or Mayo.org. Maybe I should have started with that?? Guess this is a lesson in NOT writing on the web. Andy just reminded me that it is safer to cut and paste from Microsoft Word.

(my poor pea brain is overwhelmed and tired)

I am off to seek some more recovery sleep.

Bless you all for sticking with me.

I am home and will most likely be ok. Not so okay between last night and now, but hope everyone will breathe - even me.

We will write news later.

I’ll start by saying that I’m OK. I tried to start my late night phone call to my folks that way, as well.

That being said. I was having a terrific day zipping around, playing “happy homemaker” here until late afternoon. Sometime between three and four, I had a very strange situation occur. A series of lights flashing, extremity numbing, searing head pain, and other odd symptoms caused me to completely crumble in my tracks. Spent the next couple of hours feeling additionally confused and not being able to “get on my feet again”. I tried to poo poo it all, but knew it really was different than my usual symptomatic fun. I usually put so much energy towards evaluating symptoms to reassure me that I’m not becoming a textbook hypochondriac, that I didn’t call the paramedics, ER, or even Andy. (Believe me, the butt-chewing for that has been taken care of.)

Andy came in the door at six, and with the bits and pieces I tried to relay, he told me that I really needed to call the emergency room to put together what had happened. Though most of the earlier symptoms were becoming less intensive, they were still present, and my tongue seemed “fat”. My speech was a bit slow and jagged, and I had a hard time finding words and stringing together sentences. It took quite awhile to get through to the ER, but finally was connected to a nurse who, after a time, started saying, “…you need to call 911 and have the paramedics come. You need to be brought into the hospital by ambulance and seen now. Do not have someone bring you into the hospital, as it will take you too long to be seen. You need to call 911…”

“Yup, uh huh. Yeah, I will. Okay, I will.”

So I hung up, and gosh darn it, I was feeling enough better by then to notice that the brats I was cooking smelled really good. Asked Andy if I could eat one and an ear of corn (and watch an inning of baseball on TV) before we called, but he was very quick to say, “NO. You cannot have a brat first. We are calling 911. I’ve invested TOO MUCH time into you to let you drop over…”

(mean old husband)

When we called, they agreed that someone should come right away, and within a minute I could hear the siren. Talk about service when you live in the heart of downtown.

I was increasingly stable, and after about ten minutes of questions and basic neuro checks, they decided to give me a ride to the ER so I could be seen by a doctor without having to sign in and wait…

I’m about ready to punt to Andy. I’m hoping he can grab a few minutes in the morning to give a summary of the medical information, so I’m going to leave him a blog lead-in. You’d be here for another three hours if I even tried. After hearing my disjointed story and all of the Doctor’s information, I’d best let him leave you a post. Tomorrow has the potential to be harried with several “MUST ATTEND TO” items. I will continue my drivel as soon as I can.

PS: Sorry. The bats and afore mentioned cookies will have to wait.

PPS: Please be extra nice to Andy. He’s going to be exhausted tomorrow.